There are a lot of health benefits to using lemon essential oil.
The Latin name for lemon is Citrus Limonum and it should be printed on any bottle of this potent oil that you purchase.
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Lemon essential oil is a widely used oil and has a lot of unique benefits. Some of the benefits that lemon helps with are skin conditions, hair, stress, infections, asthma, fevers, insomnia, obesity, stomach issues, and even fatigue.
Lemon is thought to be a calming and detoxifying essential oil.
I’m sure you’re well aware that lemons are a citrus fruit. They are used at a lot of culinary places and they aid in digestion. Typically they can add a pleasant aroma and taste to food. Additionally, lemon juice is one of the most inexpensive, healthy, delicious, and one of the most popular drinks in the world.
Typically lemon essential oils are cheaper than other oils. Therefore you should add it to your collection of oils. So, in this article, I’m going to show you all the health benefits of using lemon essential oil.
Lemon Essential Oil Warning
Lemon essential oil is photosensitive. Meaning you should avoid it topically if you’re in the sunlight 12 hours after applying it. You should never apply lemon essential oil without a carrier oil. Lemon has been known to cause skin irritations. It’s important that you conduct a skin patch test prior to using lemon essential oil topically.
11 Health Benefits Of Lemon Essential Oil
There are many uses for lemon essential oil. It’s certainly one of my favorite and most useful essential oils. But, what is fantastic about lemon essential oil is it’s one of the cheaper oils you can purchase.
Lemon essential oil mixes good with lavender, rose, neroli, sandalwood, geranium, ylang ylang, frankincense, orange, bergamot, rosemary, grapefruit, lime, and tea tree oil.
Various Skin Issues
Lemon essential oil is excellent for your skin.
It has a lot of anti-aging and antioxidant properties in it.
In fact, there have been several lab studies that show lemon reduces cell and tissue damage that was caused by free radicals.
Lemon essential oil has been used to reduce acne (see this article), hydrate the skin, and nourish the skin.
But, what is more, surprising about lemon essential oil is it’s been used to relieve:
- Blisters.
- Insect bites.
- Greasy skin.
- Oily skin.
- Rosacea.
- Cellulite.
- Wounds & Cuts.
- Cold sores.
- Warts.
This study shows that it was effective in treating the above-mentioned skin ailments.
Topically. Mix lemon with frankincense and lavender. Then add baking soda and raw organic honey. Make sure the mixture is a 3-5% delusion. Apply to your face once a day.
Gas & Constipation
If you are experiencing digestion issues lemon essential oil can help.
Specifically, with gastritis and constipation.
Lemon essential oil is carminative, which means it prevents the formation of gas in the GI tract.
There have been animal studies with lemon essential oil. Specifically, with rats which did show that lemon essential oil helped with legions. It reduced the erosion of gastric mucosa, which is a fancy name for the lining in the stomach.
But, there was a more interesting study. There was a 10-day study where lemon, rosemary, and peppermint essential oil were used. Elderly people were asked to massage these essential oils on their abdominal area. The people that rubbed the essential oils on their abdominal area noticed more frequent bowel movements and had fewer constipation problems.
Topically. Mix 4 drops of lemon, 4 drops of rosemary, and 2 drops of lavender to coconut carrier oil. Rub it on the left abdominal area 1-2 times a day.
Ingest. I should warn you that when you become a certified aromatherapist you are instructed to not encourage the use of essential oils internally. However, there are companies like Young Living (see review) and doTERRA (see review) that actually have developed “food safe” product lines. To ease your digestion issues like constipation and gas add 1-2 drops of lemon essential to 1 teaspoon of raw organic honey. You can do this twice a day.
Relieves Nausea
Lemon essential oil is an effective treatment for nausea.
Especially for those that are pregnant or have issues with motion sickness.
A whopping 100% of women that inhaled lemon essential oil noticed that their nausea symptoms were reduced. This can be backed up by this study.
Inhaler. Use an inhaler and put 15 drops in the inhaler. I recommend this inhaler, by Plant Therapy. Inhaler it anytime you are feeling nauseous.
Oral Health Care
You can use lemon essential oil in your toothpaste for extra oral health care.
As stated earlier in this article lemon has a lot of antibacterial and antifungal properties. A lot of people know that you can use lemon essential oil to treat bad breath. But lemon essential oil can be used to help whiten your teeth. While citric acids can erode your teeth lemon essential oil does not seem to cause teeth erosion according to Dr. Axe.
Lemon essential oil is also used to treat oral thrush. This is an overgrowth of yeast in the lining of your mouth. Oral thrush can be in the gums, tonsils, back of the throat, etc. If gone untreated it can lead to a weaken immune system where more serious diseases can form. This study shows that lemon essential oil was an effective treatment for oral thrush in 83 of the 90 patients tested in this study.
Orally. Add 1-2 drops of lemon essential oil to your toothpaste. If you want to make your own homemade toothpaste here is a good recipe:
- 3 Tablespoons of bentonite clay powder.
- 2 Tablespoons of coconut oil (liquid state).
- 1 teaspoon of ground stevia (green no white).
- 3/4 teaspoon of unrefined high mineral salt.
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
- 3 Tablespoons of distilled water.
- 1/4 teaspoon of the lemon essential oil.
Mix all the above ingredients in a glass bowl. Use a funnel to pour it into a BPA-free squeezable tube. Use the homemade toothpaste 3-4 times a week.
Combats Stress
When I think of an essential oil like lemon I usually don’t think of it as a stress-fighting essential oil.
But, it’s an uplifting essential oil. Meaning it gives you energy.
It does contain a high amount of limonene and only a few other non-citrus oils contain limonene. For instance, lemongrass and lemon myrtle (according to Aromaweb.com).
But when you are stressed there is a good chance you are feeling worn down. Lemon is yet another oil that helps calm you down. Lemon is thought to be an uplifting essential oil which helps refresh your mind and gets rid of negative emotions.
Many people have used lemon essential oilt to help with exhaustion, fatigue, anxiety, dizziness, and even nervousness.
Also, a lot of aromatherapists say that this oil helps with concentration and alertness (much like rosemary and peppermint).
Diffuse. Mix 3-4 drops of lemon with 3-4 drops of lavender to help uplift your mood and relax you when you’re feeling stressed out.
Topically. Mix lemon essential oil with a carrier like coconut at 3-5% dilution and rub it on your neck, wrist, and base of your skull.
Bath. Add 7-10 drops to your bath with Epson salt to help relax your mind and body when you are experiencing negative emotions.
Immune System Booster
Lemon essential oil is good for strengthening your immune system.
It’s thought to be a purifying and cleansing essential oil. Meaning it keeps our body free of pathogens and detoxifies our body. This aids the liver and the blood flowing through our body. Lemon essential oil stimulates lymphatic drainage which helps get rid of toxins in our body.
There have been a couple of animal studies with lemon essential oil. A study in 2016 showed that rats who had aspirin-induced acute kidney and liver damage had reduced oxidative stress with both of those vital organs.
Also, another study shows that mice that took low dosages of lemon essential oil and ginger extract had a positive effect on the liver and brain.
Internally. Put in 1-2 drops with organic raw honey and swallow it. Also, you can put two drops in a capsule and ingest them that way, too. Again, aromatherapist have to take an oath that state they do not encourage the internal use of essential oils.
Lemon is one of the essential oils that is used in the popular Thieves blend, which was created to help keep your immune system strong. If you haven’t already checked out my Thieves (a trademarked Young Living blend) homemade recipe I would encourage you to check that out, too. It’s a great blend for building immunity.
Hair Care
Lemon essential oil is great for your hair.
It’s good for dry and oily scalps. Meaning, that if you have dandruff lemon can help get rid of it.
There are a lot of essential oils that aid in hair care. I have written about essential oils and shampoos here.
Here is a good recipe for a shampoo with lemon:
- 1/2 cup liquid castile soap
- 1/4 cup canned coconut milk (organic)
- 1/4 cup honey (organic)
- 2 tbsp coconut carrier oil (fractionated)
- 1 tbsp Vitamin E oil
- 20 drops of lemon.
- 20 drops of tea tree.
- 20 drops of grapefruit.
Mix the contents in a glass bottle, or you can use a plastic pump bottle. Shake it for 3 seconds before you use it.
Weight Loss
Lemon essential oil can help you with weight loss.
It can aid in breaking down body fat. Lemon essential oil contains d-limonene. D-limonene can help support your metabolism. It also cleanses your lymphatic glands.
There was an interesting animal study conducted. Mice were given lemon essential oil internally for 12 weeks. The study showed that body weight was reduced, hyperglycemia and insulin were reduced.
Inhaler. You can use an inhaler and inhale lemon, basil, and oregano essential oil to help suppress your appetite.
Ingest. Put 1 drop of lemon, peppermint, and grapefruit in a capsule with olive oil. Swallow the capsule and drink an 8 oz glass of water. You can take this capsule in the morning and in the afternoon.
Cough Aid
I have already stated that lemon essential oil is great for boosting your immune system.
But, if you’re dealing with a stubborn cough lemon essential oil can certainly help.
Lemon essential oil contains a lot of antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. This gives your body a better “fighting” chance against respiratory conditions.
The lymphatic system protects the body from pathogens while it reduces the swelling of lymph nodes. Therefore since lemon essential oil directly affects lymphatic drainage it reduces fluids which can ease your cough.
Diffuse. Diffuse 5-7 drops of essential oil in your home or work. You can also add it with eucalyptus and peppermint.
Topically. Add 2 drops with 1/2 teaspoon of carrier oil and rub it on your neck.
Internally. Add 1-2 drops of lemon essential oil to your raw organic honey and swallow it.
Regulates Sleep
Wait a second I thought you said lemon essential oil was an uplifting essential oil.
Don’t get me wrong lemon essential oil is an uplifting oil. However, I do suggest that you use lemon essential oil early in the morning. Why? Because it helps wake your body and mind up.
If you are depressed and sleeping in until 1:00 PM maybe you need an essential oil to put you in a better mood. Please see this article on depression.
In this article from thesleepdoctor.com, it talks about citrus oils and how they can be either stimulating or sleep-inducing. Citrus oils like lemon can relax you enough to where it might be easier to fall asleep.
Diffuse. Diffuse lemon essential oil early in the morning with grapefruit to get you going early in the morning.
Inhaler. Inhale lemon essential oil with an inhaler throughout the day. It will help uplift your mind and block out any negative thoughts.
However, if you’re interested in learning more about essential oil and sleep I would suggest you click here. I have covered this already.
Cleaner
Out of all the essential oils, lemon is one of the best cleaners. Lemon has a lot of disinfectant qualities which are in a lot of household cleaners.
Lemon essential oil contains two powerful properties; limonene and b-pinene. This will clean your home of any bacteria, pathogens, and fungi.
For instance, one cleaning product that I love is Mrs. Meyers cleaner. They actually have a brand which is lemon verbatim which consists of lemon essential oils.
Here is a good recipe for a homemade household cleaner:
- 3 Cups Vinegar
- 3 Cups Water
- 20 Drops Lemon
- 20 Drops Tea Tree
Mix the ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake it before using it for 3 seconds.
As a side note, a lot of household cleaners are actually toxic to the body. Meaning the chemicals that are in them can actually cause cancer and other unwanted illnesses.
I can’t stress the importance of using pure essential oils. I have written about it here. Believe it or not there are companies like Green Health, ArtNaturals, and Radha Beauty which sell adulterated essential oils. These can actually be dangerous to your health.
A couple of respectable brands that I do recommend are Rocky Mountain Oils, Aura Cacia, and Plant Guru. They sell 100% pure essential oils.
Hopefully, this clears up any questions about lemon as an essential oil. As you can see it has a lot of health benefits. Please leave a comment if you have any questions down below.
10 thoughts on “11 Totally Awesome Health Benefits Of Lemon Essential Oil”
Thanks, I really like your site! I love finding natural ways to improve our health and wellbeing. I think it’s very easy for people to turn to products that are expensive and ineffective when there are so many ways to use things like essential oils to improve aspects of our health. I haven’t used lemon essential oil before but now I am motivated.
It looks like lemon is a wonderful cleaner? Do you have any good lemon cleaning recipes?
Hey Mellissa,
You can use lemon essential oil just like your would goo-be-gone. It’s excellent for spots where you have stickers and can even help you remove gum.
If you have kids that like to use crayons on your furniture and walls at home you can use a couple drops to help get it off.
For wood polish you can use 1 part vinegar, 1 part olive oil, and then add 15 drops of lemon. Make sure you shake it before using it each time.
For the kitchen fill a spray bottle with water, add to 2 tablespoons of castile soap, and hen 15-20 drops of essential oil.
For glass cleaner use 7-10 drops of lemon with 4 oz of white vinegar.
I knew lemon oil had some great benefits, but I was not aware that there are this many. Thanks.
One questions though – you write that essential oils should never be consumed.
If I want to use it to help with stomach issues, what would be the best way to use it then?
Thanks,
Mike
Hey Mikael,
If you have nausea I would put a couple drops of lemon essential oil in your hands and rub your hands together. Then, cup your hands together and inhale it for 1-3 minutes. The smell of the lemon oil will be off your hands in 30 minutes or so.
For improved digestion, you can use lemon essential oil with a carrier oil. You then rub the abdominal area for 2 minutes or so. This will be a lifesaver if you are constipated.
I know a lot of people use lemon essential oil as a cleaner but I had no idea that it had a medicinal role in the treatment of asthma. very cool info, thanks for the education!
I do have a question for you though? I have heard that lemon essential oils are good for cleaning the microwave. Do you have any methods that you use when cleaning the microwave with lemon?
Hey Penelope,
You are correct you can use lemon essential oil to clean the microwave. It works really good too. Here is how you do it:
Get a microwave safe bowl.
Fill it with water.
Add 4-6 drops of lemon essential oil.
Microwave for 4-6 minutes.
Your microwave should be steam cleaned now.
All you have to do is wipe it down with a damp cloth.
Oh wow, lemon essential oil really does have some awesome benefits, and so many that I never knew. The one that jumped out at me the most was the fact that it is an appetite suppressant; now that I got to try as I do think I eat too much!
I also think that lemon is great for nausea as it is the only thing that stopped my sea sickness when I worked on the ships years ago, so though I would throw that one in as well 🙂
You mention that it’s good for the immune system because it’s high in vitamin C, does this mean you need to consume this oil to get those benefits? Thanks
Hey Stefanie,
There are really a lot of health benefits to lemon essential oil. It’s one of those oils that I wasn’t crazy about at first. But, over the years I have learned to love it.
No, actually it’s not recommended that you consume essential oils. I know there are companies like doTERRA and Young Living that do have product lines that encourage the use of essential oils internally. However, many certified aromatherapists will tell you not to use essential oils internally.
Wow I can’t believe I have never considered lemon oil before. I use oil cleansing for my oily and acne prone skin. It works wonders. I typically use orange and tea tree mixed in a carrier oil like grapeseed. I will definitely add lemon to my rotation of choices. Sounds like it may be just what I need. Thank you!
Hey Maryann,
The best part about lemon essential oil is it’s cheap, too. Really, one of the cheapest essential oils you can use.
It’s a great essential oil for acne prone skin. However, I wouldn’t say it’s a “go to” essential oil for acne, though. It can be kind of harsh on the skin when used topically.